I stare at the plate in front of me like it’s a foreign object. No one has made me food before hockey practice since my mom died, let alone even care that I need to eat something.

  “Don’t worry, Stone. I didn’t poison it.” She takes a bite of hers just to prove her point.

  “Thanks,” I mumble, shoving a piece into my mouth. It’s not my normal breakfast of eggs and a protein shake, but I find myself enjoying it. “It’s good.”

  “Did I just get a compliment from you?” She feigns shock, and I roll my eyes. “Hell must have finally frozen over,” she adds with a soft chuckle.

  “Very funny.” I finish off the rest of my breakfast and take our empty plates to the dishwasher, placing them inside. “I make it very clear to them that I don’t do relationships,” I say, deciding to answer her question because part of me is curious where this conversation is headed. “The ones that agree to just a night...they only want to fuck a hockey player anyway, so they use me just as much as I use them.”

  I throw the dishtowel on the counter and cross my arms over my chest as I stand against the white granite.

  “Why don’t you do relationships?”

  “Because I don’t,” I say with conviction. “Anymore questions?”

  “Just one.” She takes a hesitant step forward until she’s invading my space. Her smell hits me like a freight train as I inhale the sweet scent of her light shampoo. I love the fact that she doesn’t douse herself in perfume. She’s always smelled so damn good to me. It’s just…Savi.

  I drop my arms and grip the edge of the counter to keep from reaching out as her ocean eyes draw me in.

  “Why do you find every girl attractive, but me?”

  It takes a moment for my brain to register what she just said as I scramble to make sense of it.

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Just admit it, Knox. I want to know why? You’ve pushed me away for years, barely glancing at me, almost to the point where I feel like you are repulsed. What do those girls have that I don’t?”

  I debate on how to approach this. I could lie and say something mean that would push her away, making it easier on me to stay away, or I could let her in a little and let the truth scare her away.

  I opt for the second as I reverse our positions and back her up against the counter. Her eyes widen, and I take pleasure in seeing her squirm uncomfortably.

  That’s right, sunshine. You’re too pure to play with the devil and need to run.

  “You want to know why I push you away?” I step closer until our bodies are flush, and she can feel just how hard I am. She gasps at the contact, but slowly nods her head anyway.

  “Because I will ruin you,” I say darkly as my demons fight for control. “I refuse to use your body for pleasure even though every part of me wants to take it.” Digging my fingers into her waist, I try to hold on to something so I don’t get pulled under and do something I will regret.

  “I’m already ruined, Knox,” she whispers. “I just need someone I feel safe with to show me I’m not damaged too.”

  Pain lances through my chest as I wince at her words. “You’re not ruined, Savi.” I squeeze my eyes tightly and pray that I’m wrong before I speak my next words. “Please tell me you’ve been with a guy since. That you’ve been happy…that you are happy.” I force the words out as I’m slammed with anger and guilt all over again, with what happened to her that night.

  “I am happy for the most part. I love my job. I have an amazing family and friends. It’s just the dating part that I have a hard time with. I try,” she says quietly, “but then I remember, and panic sets in.”

  “But, Tristan? You were with him for two fucking years.” I know because I hated him every single day during that relationship.

  “I did other things with him…just not sex. I couldn’t even blame him when he broke up with me after graduation. Who wants to be with a girl who flinches every time he gets on top of me?”

  “Fuck, Savi.” I step away and try to rein in my emotions. She always looked so happy with him when I would watch from a distance. The only reason I didn’t interfere was because I thought she was happy.

  “Let’s get one thing very clear. Any guy would be lucky just to be next to you. If Tristan didn’t make you feel safe, then that’s on him, and he should have done everything in his power to make sure that you did feel that way.”

  “I’ve only felt safe with you,” she admits softly, and it’s like a knife to my gut. “When we touch, I’m not scared. I want…I want more.” Her blue eyes plead with me, and I feel like the biggest prick on earth because I know what I have to do.

  “I can’t be that person for you, Savi. I’m not the good guy here,” I say, shaking my head sadly and desperately wishing in this moment that things were different and I could be that guy for her. “You need someone to pull you out of the dark, not keep you in it.”

  “I don’t understand,” she says, stepping toward me, but I back away.

  “I’m all kinds of fucked up, sunshine. I won’t touch the one thing in my life that has been good.”

  “We’re all fucked up in some way or another. I know you, Knox,” she says fiercely. “You are not the bad guy you think you are. You have more good inside you than you know. Besides, I’m not asking for a commitment.”

  “Your brothers…” I can’t even finish the thought. They would kill me if I touched their sister, and I would gladly let them, knowing I deserved every bit of it.

  “My brothers never have to know. It’s the perfect setup, actually, with you living here. You help me get over my fear, and I will help you. It’s a win-win.”

  “And what could you possibly help me with?” There’s no chance in hell that I’m agreeing to this, but I don’t have the heart to burst her bubble just yet.

  “Someone has to remove that stick out of your ass. You need to let a little fun into your life. Maybe try smiling more.”

  “I smile,” I mutter.

  “Scoring a goal doesn’t count.”

  “That’s all I need to make me happy,” I shrug.

  “Keep telling yourself that.”

  “Well, as fun as this has been,” I say, making a move to the door, “I’ve got to hit the ice soon.” This conversation needs to end now before I do something dumb like agree to it. It would never work. I know Savi, and her heart would get involved. I will not risk hurting her.

  “You aren’t even going to entertain the idea, are you?”

  I stop, and my look must say it all because her walls go back up, and the fire returns. “You are such a stubborn ass, Knox. Fine,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “You don’t want to help me, I’ll keep trying to find someone who can. Who knows, maybe one of your hockey buddies on your team will be the one to break through my fears.”

  Jealousy sneaks its way in when I think of any one of them laying their hands on her. “You are playing a very dangerous game here, Savi.” My voice drips with a threat as I curl my hands into fists. “My team is off limits. I need them focused on the game and not your pussy sitting in the stands.”

  “Are you sure that’s the reason and not because it won’t be yours?”

  SIX

  SAVI

  The briefest hint of jealousy crosses his face, and that’s all the confirmation I need to know that I’ve hit the nail on the head. I know I’m diving headfirst into the deep end, not knowing if I’ll survive, but it’s better than just existing and not truly living.

  I stayed awake all night tossing and turning…weighing the pros and cons of whether this was a good idea and an answer to my problem. I even got up and wrote it on a piece of paper so I could see it with my own eyes.

  Pros

  1. I feel safe with him

  2. The ladies love him, so he must be good in bed

  3. He’s hot, which is a major bonus

  4. He could teach me everything I read about in my romance books because he’s probably done them all

  Cons

  1. He’s Knox fucking Stone, and all of this ends with me getting my heart broken

  Although there is only one con, it’s a big one. I’m willing to take the risk, though. I would rather deal with a broken heart than continue to live like this. I don’t want to be afraid of this anymore. If I’m to have a healthy relationship one day, I need to face my fears and learn to love that part of me again.

  I’ve tried every kind of therapy there is, and nothing seems to work. Knox is my last-ditch effort, and I need him to agree to this.

  “I’m not doing it, Savi. There are safer options out there for you, and my dick inside you is not one of them.” He storms off and shuts the door behind him.

  “We’ll see about that, you stubborn ass of a man,” I mutter under my breath as I head to my bedroom to finish getting ready for work.

  Olivia

  Are you free for lunch?

  I’m walking down the hall when I hear the text come through. I quickly glance at it as I step into my office.

  Shutting the door, I sink into my plush chaise in the corner and sigh. Unlike most offices, I wanted mine to be cozy and a place I could escape when the days are hectic. And that day is today. Thankfully, Dr. Matthews gave me full rein to decorate.

  I kept the walls white except for the light blush pink behind my beautiful wooden desk that I found online for a steal. The wooden floors are old and have been here since the practice was first started. Their dark, rich color may be worn and scuffed, but I love the character they bring.

  Various potted plants are placed throughout, their greenery adding a serene feel to the space. The built-in white bookcases lining one wall hold pictures of my family and books ranging from veterinary medical to some of my favorite romance novels that I always have my nose in.

  Hence, why I set up my cozy corner. This chaise was a must in here. There’s only so long I can sit at a desk. I much prefer to work on my lap desk with a cozy throw and a steaming hot cup of coffee on the small table next to me.

  It sits next to the window, and since my office is in the very back of the building, I get a view of the backside of a park, giving me glimpses of palm trees and the small lake it surrounds.

  Pulling up my text, I smile when I see Olivia’s name. We’ve gotten really close these past few months, and I couldn’t be more thankful to gain another sister-in-law. Being the only daughter in the family surrounded by four older brothers, it’s nice to have four sisters now. The fact that they are all amazing women and have become my best friends is just icing on the cake.

  Savi

  I’m in. It’s been one hell of a morning, and I could use a break. Want to meet at Captain Jack’s?

  Olivia

  You are speaking my language. I’ve been craving their fish tacos.

  Savi

  Cravings, huh? Anything you want to tell me?

  I type out the response and grin. My brother, Miles, is absolutely crazy about Olivia and took to being a father figure for her little daughter, Bee, with such natural ease that it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if they decided to start trying right away to have their own.

  Olivia

  No, ha ha! We are still in our practicing phase, if you know what I mean. ;) And boy do we practice…a lot.

  She inserts the hot emoji along with the drooling one, causing me to wrinkle my nose. When most of my girlfriends are my sisters-in-law, I’ve heard way more about my brothers than I ever wanted or needed to. I tend to disassociate in my mind who they are talking about, so I can be in on all the girl chats we have without wanting to throw up in my mouth.

  Savi

  Thanks for the info I didn’t need to know.

  Olivia

  You’re one of my best friends. Who else can I share these things with?

  Olivia

  Gizmo?

  Just picturing their one-eyed dog with his big ears and huge underbite has me giggling at the phone. I brought him home one night from the shelter because I felt sorry for him, and I also knew if anyone would cave to my latest pet rescue, it would be Miles.

  Much to Miles’s dismay at the time, Gizmo took to him right away, and the long-haired French bulldog has been with him ever since. He’s now Bee’s best friend, so it worked out better than I could have imagined.

  Olivia

  Gizmo is a great listener. I’ll give him that, but it’s much more fun to get a rise out of you. :D

  I roll my eyes and see the three dots appear.

  Olivia

  Don’t roll your eyes at me.

  I laugh out loud at how well she knows me.

  Savi

  I wouldn’t dare.

  Olivia

  Liar.

  Savi

  Caught red-handed.

  I type, inserting a laughing emoji.

  Savi

  I’d better get through some of this paperwork staring me in the face on my desk. See you in an hour?

  Olivia

  Perfect! See you then.

  I respond with a smiling face and set my phone down. The timing couldn’t be better. Olivia literally propositioned my brother for a night, so she’s the perfect person to ask for advice.

  Happier now that I have some sort of plan in place, I dive into my files that I need to make notes in. I have several new clients that I want to review their health records in detail.

  The hour flies by, and I feel good about having made a huge dent in my work as I gather up my files and put them away.

  Besides Dr. Matthews, I’m the only other vet here in this office. I’ve worked here since I was sixteen, and he’s become like a grandfather to me.

  When I left for college, I was promised a position here as soon as I was done. Dr. Matthews is getting older and wants to take on fewer clients, so I’ve slowly been taking over some of his duties. He’s a brilliant doctor, and I’m soaking up every bit of knowledge he teaches me while I can.

  He’s told me several times how he would love nothing more than for me to run the clinic one day when he retires. Just thinking about having my own veterinary business sends my excitement into overdrive. I have so many ideas running through my head on how to grow the business while also helping animals in need of homes.

  Getting my purse from the bottom desk drawer, I turn off the lights and shut the door behind me, passing the exam rooms flanking both sides of the hallway. I was told this was originally a house when it was first built.

  When Dr. Matthews bought the place, he wanted to keep it as homey as he could. The living room became the reception area with cozy chairs and bright, woven-colored rugs on the floor. He even kept the stone fireplace, converting it to gas, so he could use it for the two months it can get chilly here. The small kitchen in the back became the staff’s lounge, complete with a fridge, comfortable sofas, and a state-of-the-art coffee maker. Thank God, Dr. Matthews values the finer coffee in life.

  For the hospital portion of it, the two-car garage was added onto and made into an emergency area and a place for routine surgeries. The adjoining room is set up to house any animals that need overnight stays.

  “Going out for lunch today, Dr. Montgomery?”

  I smile at Miss Dorothy as I approach the reception desk. She’s been here since the doors opened and has been Dr. Matthews’s right-hand person from the beginning. It makes it even sweeter that they have been happily married for over fifty years and have built this business together.

  They had hoped to pass it down to their children, but even though their son ended up in the medical field, he chose the human route and now works as an emergency room doctor at our local hospital. Their daughter is happily married to a banker in town with four grown children of her own and has no interest in running the clinic.

  Even at sixteen, they could feel my love for this place and my willingness to learn. They poured all their excitement into teaching me everything about the business. I’ve become like their third child and the one who understands what they created here and wants to keep it that way.

  “Still refusing to call me, Savannah?” I ask, smiling at her affectionate gaze. The wrinkles around her green eyes deepen as she smiles wider at me.

  “I’ll tell you the same thing I told my Henry. You’ve worked hard for the title. I’m going to use it any chance I can get while at work.”

  “I do love the sound of it,” I grin.

  “Damn right you do,” she beams. “You should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished in such a short time. I’ve been in this field for so long and have been at the side of many vets through the years. I know something special when I see it. You remind me of my Henry when he works, and it’s not something you can learn up here,” she says, pointing to her head. “The best doctors work from here.” She places her hand on her heart and smiles.

  I blink back the unexpected tears that have suddenly appeared. “Ruin my makeup right before I leave, why don’t you?” Laughing softly, I catch a tear with the side of my finger before it falls.

  “You and me both, dear,” she chuckles, brushing one away before swatting my arm. “You go and enjoy your lunch. I’m making Henry take me to my favorite sushi place when he’s done with his patient, so I don’t need my makeup ruined either,” she laughs.